It’s all too easy to become down-hearted by bad news about the environment. But Kaitiaki – to screen on Māori Television from Saturday November 22 at 8.00 PM – looks at the inspirational people in whānau, hapū and iwi groups who have refused to give in, and are at the forefront of the battle for a cleaner, greener Aotearoa.

It might be something someone does that makes a small difference, or it might be something bigger, with global ramifications. Little or large, this series is about the guardians who are taking on the issues in their own backyards.

Other issues include; a planned subdivision on the Ngunguru Spit, just out of Whangārei, and climate change in Northland.

“There are the eco-warriors like Stephen King, who is rebuilding the kauri forests of the north, and is a long-time tree campaigner. Or Angeline Greensill, of Whaingaroa, who has fought long and hard against sewage being pumped into the ocean at Raglan, and more recently been a vocal opponent of ocean sand mining,” says Kaitiaki director Kim Webby.